INTERNATIONAL SHORTS

Dorian Jespers (born in Brussels, 1993) is a graduate of INSAS and KASK, and a former resident of Le Fresnoy. He creates works that combine absurdity, intimacy and various references in a great audiovisual effervescence. His film Sun Dog was inspired by a strange adventure in the Russian Arctic. It was elected Short Film of the Year 2020 by the Short Film Conference after qualifying for the Ensors, EAs, Oscars and it won numerous major awards around the world, including the Rotterdam festival tiger award. His work has also been shown in art institutions such as MoMA, the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London and the Garage in Moscow. His new project « Loynes » (2024), set in 19th century Liverpool, was presented at the WiP section of Cannes film festival.

Nina Rodríguez counts on a vast experience curating international film festivals and industry events. She holds an MA in The Presentation and Preservation of the Moving Image from the University of Amsterdam in close collaboration with EYE Film Archive. Since 2006, Nina has been Head of Programming at the Guanajuato International Film Festival where she established several talent development initiatives. Having collaborated with the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in the past, she is currently also Industry Program Manager at Qumra, an initiative of the Doha Film Institute providing mentorship for international film projects from development through post-production. Nina also served as Academic Coordinator for the Pueblo Mágico Mexican Film Residency and was an executive producer on Viktor Jakovle skis Brimstone and Glory. In 2020, she founded Compartimento Cinematografico- an inde pendent cinema in San Miguel de Allende.

Simon's short films have screened at many festivals and received awards such as the International Jury Prize at Sundance, Best Short Film at the BIAs, and BAFTA and European Academy Award nominations. Working in fiction, animation, hybrid documentary and interactive, his work been presented collectively in dedicated retrospective shows at over 20 international film festivals. Simon continues to attend many festivals as either filmmaker or juror and has mentored short film directors in both the UK and overseas.